Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Linebackers
In no particular order until after the draft, here’s one man’s opinion on the prospects of some of the higher profile LB prospects. Moreso than any other position, the bulk of these LB prospects could have widely different value depending on the scheme and opportunity they land in on draft day.
Curtis Lofton (6’0”, 246)
Lofton has a solid scouting report. He’s quick, instinctive, physical and has proven that he can both elude and take on blockers well. His intangibles are above-average. Lofton has the athleticism to hang in coverage. Despite his quickness, he may not have the raw foot speed to have sideline-to-sideline range as a pro. He’s also not a particularly good blitzer.
NFL comparisons: Gerald Hayes, Kawika Mitchell, Bradie James
IDP upside/downside: Some scouts have compared Lofton to DeMeco Ryans, despite knocking his ranginess and blitzing skill. Lofton could be an interesting fit as an ILB in a 3-4 scheme or as a MLB/WLB in a 4-3. With his ability to shed and cover TEs, it’s also possible that teams could slot him as a SLB. In the right scheme, his instincts, tackling skill and reasonable all-around talent should give him solid value.
Keith Rivers (6’2”, 241)
The consensus on Rivers is that he is aggressive and physical, agile and rangy, with solid cover skills. Some question his instincts and ability to shed blockers, others see both areas as at least average, if not better. Most see him as an OLB prospect, who would work better in space.
NFL comparisons: Angelo Crowell, EJ Henderson, Thomas Howard
IDP upside/downside: Will be scheme dependent, given the consensus likelihood that he ends up at an OLB position. Biggest relative boom (Keith Bulluck) or bust (AJ Hawk) with respect to potential WLB solo tackle stats in this class.
Jerod Mayo (6’1”, 245)
Scouting reports are mixed on Mayo. Some scouts see a fluid, rangy leader with good coverage skill. Others see a player who struggles to shed blocks and in coverage that makes frequent errors in his run fits. There are also durability concerns with Mayo, who missed time with knee and ankle problems earlier in his college career.
NFL comparisons: Channing Crowder, Odell Thurman
IDP upside/downside: Performed well in the middle as a junior in the SEC, but may be a better fit outside where he won’t have to deal with as many blockers. Teams could see him as a playmaking WLB or project him as a slightly less physical MLB in the mold of a Jon Beason, Jonathan Vilma, depending on what they think of his cover skills and run fits.
Dan Connor (6’3”, 231)
Connor is quick off the ball and gets high praise for his effort, instincts and reliable tackling. He actively takes on blockers, but scouts have concerns about how consistently he sheds and eludes. Some see his relative lack of athleticism hurting him in coverage and preventing him from translating his quick first step into elite pursuit ability and range.
NFL comparisons: Daryl Smith, Derek Smith
IDP upside/downside: Connor is a hard guy to peg. His supporters see him as a slightly less athletic version of his former teammate Paul Posluszny and his level of production at PSU bodes well for him. He seems tough and instinctive enough to survive inside, but his size may keep him outside, where his lack of range may hinder his potential production.
Tavares Gooden (6’1”, 234)
Gooden is a downhill player with outstanding range and athleticism. More of an athlete than a football player is a consistent refrain in his scouting reports. Questionable instincts in all phases, run fits, ball skills in coverage and pass rush. Some scouts question his mental toughness.
NFL comparisons: a smaller DJ Williams, Alfred Fincher, Abdul Hodge
IDP upside/downside: Gooden warrants close monitoring. If he’s drafted by a team with a clear opening or by a team with a well-respected front office, he could have sneaky good value. If not, he might prove to be an athlete without a football position.
Beau Bell (6’1”, 244)
Bell didn’t do himself any favors with a questionable Senior Bowl performance and so-so Pro Day numbers. He is a usually physical, instinctive player who would seem to fit better inside because of questionable range and agility. Coverage ability is in question for some scouts as is his mental toughness.
NFL comparisons: Eric Barton, Jeremiah Trotter
IDP upside/downside: Bell could land in a good spot and ride his instincts to above average production. Or he could struggle to establish himself as a full time player. Worth taking a shot on if he goes to the right scheme and situation.
Xavier Adibi (6’2”, 232)
Adibi might have the best combination of quickness, range and instincts in this class. Also has above-average coverage ability. Most scouts feel he is unlikely to stand up well at the point of attack as a pro, but see him willing to aggressively sort through trash on film. Not the best tackler.
NFL comparisons: Derrick Brooks, Cato June.
IDP upside/downside: Reports read like a Tampa-2 WLB and many are projecting him to those teams in mocks. Should he land on a team that can protect him and let him pursue and cover, he’ll have top 20 IDP value. If not, he may struggle to make enough tackles to stay consistently relevant.
Philip Wheeler (6’2”, 248)
Wheeler, by all accounts, regressed last year. Most scouts seemed to believe he had all-around LB potential, but showed a lack of toughness, poor instincts, shaky coverage skills and little range last year. Scouts do like his pass rush ability.
NFL comparisons: Andra Davis, Tim Dobbins
IDP upside/downside: Doesn’t look to be much upside here for a guy who was hyped some earlier in the process. Looks like an OLB without much three down capability, which is a recipe for replacement level IDP production.
Erin Henderson (6’3”, 244)
Henderson is quick and agile for his size. Some scouts see him as a bit of a tweener – well sized to play inside but plays more like an OLB given inconsistencies at the point of attack and his preference to elude and pursue. Has great work ethic and some upside in coverage.
NFL comparisons: Omar Gaither, Kirk Morrison
IDP upside/downside: Could be a late IDP bloomer like his brother as he grows into whatever role he’s drafted into. Better value if he ends up in the middle and improves enough in coverage to have an every down role.
Jonathan Goff (6’2”, 245)
Stock apparently up after better than expected speed and agility and drill performance at the combine. Goff is noted to be very good inside the box, especially in getting off blocks to make plays. He is a heady player but not very instinctive or athletic, which hurts in pursuit and will limit him in coverage.
NFL comparisons: Napoleon Harris, Jeremiah Trotter, Tedy Bruschi
IDP upside/downside: Goff is one of those guys who might get overdrafted because of his combine performance, but not amount to much due to his relatively poor instincts and agility on the field. IDP value dependent on falling into a perfect situation.
Others with possible upside if things break well: Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Cliff Avril, Vince Hall, Marcus Howard, Ali Highsmith, Shawn Crable, Bruce Davis, Ezra Butler, Jordon Dizon, Wesley Woodyard, Jasper Brinkley
In no particular order until after the draft, here’s one man’s opinion on the prospects of some of the higher profile LB prospects. Moreso than any other position, the bulk of these LB prospects could have widely different value depending on the scheme and opportunity they land in on draft day.
Curtis Lofton (6’0”, 246)
Lofton has a solid scouting report. He’s quick, instinctive, physical and has proven that he can both elude and take on blockers well. His intangibles are above-average. Lofton has the athleticism to hang in coverage. Despite his quickness, he may not have the raw foot speed to have sideline-to-sideline range as a pro. He’s also not a particularly good blitzer.
NFL comparisons: Gerald Hayes, Kawika Mitchell, Bradie James
IDP upside/downside: Some scouts have compared Lofton to DeMeco Ryans, despite knocking his ranginess and blitzing skill. Lofton could be an interesting fit as an ILB in a 3-4 scheme or as a MLB/WLB in a 4-3. With his ability to shed and cover TEs, it’s also possible that teams could slot him as a SLB. In the right scheme, his instincts, tackling skill and reasonable all-around talent should give him solid value.
Keith Rivers (6’2”, 241)
The consensus on Rivers is that he is aggressive and physical, agile and rangy, with solid cover skills. Some question his instincts and ability to shed blockers, others see both areas as at least average, if not better. Most see him as an OLB prospect, who would work better in space.
NFL comparisons: Angelo Crowell, EJ Henderson, Thomas Howard
IDP upside/downside: Will be scheme dependent, given the consensus likelihood that he ends up at an OLB position. Biggest relative boom (Keith Bulluck) or bust (AJ Hawk) with respect to potential WLB solo tackle stats in this class.
Jerod Mayo (6’1”, 245)
Scouting reports are mixed on Mayo. Some scouts see a fluid, rangy leader with good coverage skill. Others see a player who struggles to shed blocks and in coverage that makes frequent errors in his run fits. There are also durability concerns with Mayo, who missed time with knee and ankle problems earlier in his college career.
NFL comparisons: Channing Crowder, Odell Thurman
IDP upside/downside: Performed well in the middle as a junior in the SEC, but may be a better fit outside where he won’t have to deal with as many blockers. Teams could see him as a playmaking WLB or project him as a slightly less physical MLB in the mold of a Jon Beason, Jonathan Vilma, depending on what they think of his cover skills and run fits.
Dan Connor (6’3”, 231)
Connor is quick off the ball and gets high praise for his effort, instincts and reliable tackling. He actively takes on blockers, but scouts have concerns about how consistently he sheds and eludes. Some see his relative lack of athleticism hurting him in coverage and preventing him from translating his quick first step into elite pursuit ability and range.
NFL comparisons: Daryl Smith, Derek Smith
IDP upside/downside: Connor is a hard guy to peg. His supporters see him as a slightly less athletic version of his former teammate Paul Posluszny and his level of production at PSU bodes well for him. He seems tough and instinctive enough to survive inside, but his size may keep him outside, where his lack of range may hinder his potential production.
Tavares Gooden (6’1”, 234)
Gooden is a downhill player with outstanding range and athleticism. More of an athlete than a football player is a consistent refrain in his scouting reports. Questionable instincts in all phases, run fits, ball skills in coverage and pass rush. Some scouts question his mental toughness.
NFL comparisons: a smaller DJ Williams, Alfred Fincher, Abdul Hodge
IDP upside/downside: Gooden warrants close monitoring. If he’s drafted by a team with a clear opening or by a team with a well-respected front office, he could have sneaky good value. If not, he might prove to be an athlete without a football position.
Beau Bell (6’1”, 244)
Bell didn’t do himself any favors with a questionable Senior Bowl performance and so-so Pro Day numbers. He is a usually physical, instinctive player who would seem to fit better inside because of questionable range and agility. Coverage ability is in question for some scouts as is his mental toughness.
NFL comparisons: Eric Barton, Jeremiah Trotter
IDP upside/downside: Bell could land in a good spot and ride his instincts to above average production. Or he could struggle to establish himself as a full time player. Worth taking a shot on if he goes to the right scheme and situation.
Xavier Adibi (6’2”, 232)
Adibi might have the best combination of quickness, range and instincts in this class. Also has above-average coverage ability. Most scouts feel he is unlikely to stand up well at the point of attack as a pro, but see him willing to aggressively sort through trash on film. Not the best tackler.
NFL comparisons: Derrick Brooks, Cato June.
IDP upside/downside: Reports read like a Tampa-2 WLB and many are projecting him to those teams in mocks. Should he land on a team that can protect him and let him pursue and cover, he’ll have top 20 IDP value. If not, he may struggle to make enough tackles to stay consistently relevant.
Philip Wheeler (6’2”, 248)
Wheeler, by all accounts, regressed last year. Most scouts seemed to believe he had all-around LB potential, but showed a lack of toughness, poor instincts, shaky coverage skills and little range last year. Scouts do like his pass rush ability.
NFL comparisons: Andra Davis, Tim Dobbins
IDP upside/downside: Doesn’t look to be much upside here for a guy who was hyped some earlier in the process. Looks like an OLB without much three down capability, which is a recipe for replacement level IDP production.
Erin Henderson (6’3”, 244)
Henderson is quick and agile for his size. Some scouts see him as a bit of a tweener – well sized to play inside but plays more like an OLB given inconsistencies at the point of attack and his preference to elude and pursue. Has great work ethic and some upside in coverage.
NFL comparisons: Omar Gaither, Kirk Morrison
IDP upside/downside: Could be a late IDP bloomer like his brother as he grows into whatever role he’s drafted into. Better value if he ends up in the middle and improves enough in coverage to have an every down role.
Jonathan Goff (6’2”, 245)
Stock apparently up after better than expected speed and agility and drill performance at the combine. Goff is noted to be very good inside the box, especially in getting off blocks to make plays. He is a heady player but not very instinctive or athletic, which hurts in pursuit and will limit him in coverage.
NFL comparisons: Napoleon Harris, Jeremiah Trotter, Tedy Bruschi
IDP upside/downside: Goff is one of those guys who might get overdrafted because of his combine performance, but not amount to much due to his relatively poor instincts and agility on the field. IDP value dependent on falling into a perfect situation.
Others with possible upside if things break well: Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Cliff Avril, Vince Hall, Marcus Howard, Ali Highsmith, Shawn Crable, Bruce Davis, Ezra Butler, Jordon Dizon, Wesley Woodyard, Jasper Brinkley
Last edited by a moderator:
You know I'm not good enough to rank the newbies before the draft. Actually, they're probably reasonably close since the list is a consensus from the major scouting services I've read thus far. I'm most interested in what happens to Mayo and Bell on draft day. Those are the two that might make a Beason, Ryans like leap in my mind, where they end up in situations that vault them ahead of the top two or three consensus hyped talents (Rivers, Lofton).
You know I'm not good enough to rank the newbies before the draft. Actually, they're probably reasonably close since the list is a consensus from the major scouting services I've read thus far. I'm most interested in what happens to Mayo and Bell on draft day. Those are the two that might make a Beason, Ryans like leap in my mind, where they end up in situations that vault them ahead of the top two or three consensus hyped talents (Rivers, Lofton).
